Alabama’s First Creek War reached its zenith on March 27, 1814, at the sharp bend in the Tallapoosa River. At nearly 180 degrees, this stark turn in the river inspired its popular name Horseshoe Bend, for on a map it resembled a horseshoe. Okfuskee chief Menawa—along with about one thousand Red Stick Creeks from upper Creek towns such as Eufaula, Okfuskee, Newyaucau, Fishponds, and Oakchaya—waited with more than 350 women and children for the attack from Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson and his combined forces of white militiamen, regular soldiers, and Indian volunteers. (Jackson had allies among the Cherokees and Creeks who were not part of the Red Stick faction.) Jackson’s army camped northwest of Horseshoe Bend, where Menawa and other leaders gathered their warriors and families for protection—protection that proved tenuous.